On the larva of Sphaerius and the systematic position of the Sphaeriidae (Coleoptera)

Abstract

The first-known larva of the family Sphaeriidae is described and compared with descriptions of the larvae of Hydroscaphidae and Torridinicolidae. It is concluded that the similarities of the larvae confirm the relationship of the families suggested by Crowson (1955) on the basis of adult characters, and justify the establishment of the suborder Myxophaga.